Kenneth Lee Jones

Kenneth Lee Jones was born on February 16, 1961 to Abraham and Cora Price Jones and departed this life on April 4, 2023. He was a 1979 graduate of Hobbton High School in Clinton, North Carolina.  He earned a BS in chemistry and mathematics with a minor in physics in 1982 and a Master’s in Science Education in 1988 all from Campbell University.  He later went on to earn a Ph.D. in Applied Mathematics with a minor in Applied Statistics from American University in 1997 where he studied the Existence of Periodic Traveling Wave Solutions in Partial Differential Equations.  Dr. Jones also received a Master’s of Engineering in Electrical and Computer Engineering from North Carolina State University in 2006 and an MBA in Computer Information Systems from Strayer University in 2012. He recently returned to college and received a MS in Data Science and Engineering from North Carolina A&T State University on December 9, 2022. 

Dr. Jones began his teaching career in 1982 as a mathematics and science teacher at Midway High School in Clinton, North Carolina.  He later taught at Sampson Community College as an Instructor of Related Subjects from 1983 – 1991 and as an Instructor of Mathematics at Fayetteville State University (FSU) from 1991 – 1994.  While in graduate school at American University in Washington, D.C., Dr. Jones worked as a Resource Mathematics Teacher at Anthony B. Hyde Elementary School and served as a Visiting Assistant Professor at the University of the District of Columbia, Howard University, and American University.  

Dr. Jones returned to FSU in 1997 as an Assistant Professor of Mathematics and later went on to serve as Chair of the Department of Mathematics and Computer Science from 1999 – 2001.  After leaving FSU, he served as Chair of the Department of Mathematics and Engineering from 2001 – 2006 and later Dean of the Division of Natural Sciences and Mathematics from 2006 – 2009 at Saint Augustine's College.  Throughout his career, Dr. Jones served as an adjunct professor at numerous institutions including Shaw University, the University of North Carolina Charlotte, Strayer University, Tidewater Community College, and Saint Leo University. 

Dr. Jones joined Elizabeth City State University (ECSU) in 2010 as a Professor of Mathematics.  While at ECSU he served as a Graduate Professor and Coordinator for the M.S. in Mathematics program.  He later served as the Chair of the Department of Mathematics, Computer Science, and Engineering Technology from 2016 – 2021. Dr. Jones served as Thesis Advisor to over 15 graduate students and was a thesis committee member for more than 30 students.  Dr. Jones served on numerous university committees including the University Curriculum Committee, Faculty Credentials Committee, Academic Affairs Assessment Committee, Graduate Council and the UNC System Mathematics Pathways Taskforce. 

Dr. Jones was a lifetime member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Incorporated and served for many years as the campus advisor for the Gamma Rho Chapter of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. at ECSU. He was dedicated to sharing his love of mathematics beyond the campus of ECSU and served as a mathematics and science counselor at River City Community Development Corporation and a mathematics tutor at the Mount Lebanon Missionary Baptist Church in Elizabeth City. 

Dr. Jones loved traveling, fine dining, especially Thai food, the Golden State Warriors, and “Beautiful Mathematics”. Dr. Jones died the way he lived, fiercely independent and doing it on his own terms. 

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Department of Mathematics, Computer Science, and Engineering Technology at https://vikingsforward.ecsu.edu/project/31952/donate .  Once you click on this link, under “Fund Designation” select “Mathematics and Computer Science Resource Fund”.

No services are planned at this time.

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